James Douglas "Jim" MacNeil

It is with heavy hearts, and sadness comes the announcement of the passing of James Douglas McNeil – 83, on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. His leaving was peaceful while at Heart of The Valley Long Term Care in Middleton, due to a long battle with dementia.

Born in Middleton, he was the son of Douglas Gordon and Joyce Lorraine (Phinney) MacNeil. Jim was a devoted brother to four siblings, Mary Daino (now deceased) Florida; Linda Lutz, Halifax; Terrie Shaw, Alberta; and his brother John, Florida. Jim was a loving father to two children, daughter Melinda, Halifax; and son Mark, Port George, who together with Nicole Moore gave him two beautiful grandchildren whom he adored, grandson Hunter and granddaughter Morgan.

Jim was known to be a tease and a prankster but also a protector. His older sister Mary was his protector while growing up, and Jim was the protector and overseer of Linda, Terrie, and John. He would sneak up behind them, poke them in the ribs to scare them and make them squeal. He taught John to shoot a 22 and a shotgun, which he made sure would kick back, and how to drive a car with a standard transmission. His best trick was to ask someone to “pull my finger” which also made him known for his stinky farts. He was a boy scout troop leader, so he passed down knowledge of the woods to his troops.

Jim left MRHS during grade 10 to join the Navy where he travelled the world for three years visiting many countries. He served on supply ship destroyers The Columbia, The Terra Nova, and the Bonaventure. Returning home, he vowed that he would return to MRHS and earn his graduation certificate. Which he did and became Valedictorian. A proud moment for him. But his greatest achievement was his beard. Kept perfect in every way, when he returned from the navy his quote was "it was my beard that got me thru."

His next adventure was selling cars in Halifax, then acting as Commissionaire for Fisheries and Oceans and the Law Courts. Returning home to Port George, he became the owner operator of a deli, which later became The Old Town Restaurant on Commercial Street where he and his wife Gail (Lonar) started a catering business. From there Jim became a commissionaire at CFB Greenwood answering 9-1-1 calls and dispatching until he retired.

Jim loved his cars, and racing them. He boasted of his ability to beat the faster car and would spend many hours on the ground replacing his transmission. Jim loved to hunt and fish with his uncle Bob (Phinney) and going camping with his family. Loved to go out on his ATV with his best friend Rick Harvey and Freeman Medicraft to their camp out south.

In his younger years, Jim would work part time at his parents’ motel, The Laura Secord, due to the fact that this name belonged to the candy company, the name was change to The Driftwood. He also loved to tinker with electronics, building radios and a reel-to-reel tape recorder. His childhood was also spent travelling to Florida and Massachusetts with his family.

Jim will be missed by all who knew him, especially his companion for the last 23 years Debbie.

Along with his parents, Jim was predeceased by his wife, Gail Theresa Lonar, sister Mary Daino, brother-in-law Irv Daino, and sister-in-law Donna (Belmont) McNeil.

A sincere thank you to the staff at Heart of the Valley for giving him so much love and tender care for his last four years. In keeping with Jim’s wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no service at this time.

Donations may be made to the SPCA, the Wild Horses of Sable Island or a charity of your choice. Arrangements have been entrusted to Middleton Funeral Home, 398 Main St. 1-855-825-3448. Online guestbook may be signed by visiting: www.middletonfuneralhome.com